Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya, Uganda's Olympic Committee chief has said.
"We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei... following a vicious attack by her boyfriend," Donald Rukare said in a post on X.
Ms Cheptegei, 33, had sustained burns to 80% of her body, the acting head of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in the Rift Valley city of Eldoret where she was being treated, had told reporters.
"All her organs failed last night," a medic at the facility said.
We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a… pic.twitter.com/V8Mog3oMOX
— Donald Rukare (@drukare) September 5, 2024
Police had said a man named as Dickson Ndiema Marangach, identified as her partner, had allegedly doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her alight in an attack on Sunday at her home in Endebess in the western county of Trans-Nzoia.
The incident took place just weeks after Cheptegei had taken part in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she placed 44th.
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Kenyan media had reported that one of Cheptegei's daughters witnessed the assault at her mother's home.
"He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother," Kenya's The Standard reported her as saying.
"I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible," said the girl, who has not been named.
Marangach was also wounded in the incident, sustaining 30% burns on his body.
The Uganda Athletics Federation also reported Cheptegei's death in a statement on X.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence," it said.
"As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace."
The attack on Ms Cheptegei has again thrown the spotlight on domestic violence in Kenya.
On behalf of #TeamKenya we extend our deepest condolences to the Ugandan sports community, family, and friends of Rebecca Cheptegei.
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) September 5, 2024
Rebecca's talent, and perseverance as Uganda’s Women’s Marathon record holder and a Paris 2024 Olympian will always be remembered and celebrated.… pic.twitter.com/k3hNYB9WOP
The assault comes two years after Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a world-famous running hub in the Rift Valley.
And in 2021, record-breaking Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop, 25, was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten in 2021. Her estranged husband is on trial over her murder.
He has denied the charges.
Latest figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics published in January 2023 found that 34% of women in the country had experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
